Magnetic water treatment for scale prevention

A home-made magnetic device was built with permanent magnets for treating s caling waters. Its efficiency was evaluated by measuring the remaining ioni c calcium at the output of the device by means of an ion selective electrod e. The scaling power of the treated water was estimated through an electroc hemical scaling test. Chroamperometric curves and chronoelectrogravimetric curves were plotted to obtain the scaling time and the nucleation time of t he scale deposition. The variation of the efficiency of the magnetic treatm ent was studied when the length of treatment, the flow velocity of the scal ing water in the device, the material of the pipe where the scaling water f lowed were changed. An empirical relationship, which gives the value of the efficiency in function of the length of treatment and the flow velocity, w as proposed. Possible mechanisms of action of the magnetic treatment were d iscussed. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.